"This heartbreaking defeat in Maine unfortunately shows that lies
and fear can still win at the ballot box. Yet despite this setback, the
tide clearly is turning nationwide in favor of marriage equality. We
are confident that Maine will again join the growing number of states
that extend the essential security and legal protections of marriage to
all loving, committed couples. All across the nation, same-sex couples
and their families are sharing their stories and their lives with
others in a conversation that is transforming our country. That doesn't
end today. If anything, it inspires and compels us to press forward.

"We extend our heartfelt thanks to the thousands of volunteers and
campaign workers who fought their hardest for equality in Maine, to the
No on 1 campaign and EqualityMaine for their enduring leadership, and
to the voters who cast their ballots for fairness rather than
fear-mongering."

The Task Force's work in Maine

During the heat of the No on 1 campaign, the Task Force Action Fund
dedicated several full-time organizers for field work. An additional
Task Force organizer supported the work of the No on 1 local finance
committee, and the Task Force's interactive media coordinator assisted
with No on 1's online organizing and social networking capacity. In
addition, the Task Force made a direct contribution of $75,000 to No on
1; recruited volunteers from around the country to participate in the
volunteer vacations program; and convened the National Religious
Leadership Roundtable in Maine for faith-based actions in mid-October.

Further

Surrounded by a massive police presence, the country's top law enforcement official told a group of carefully screened students at Georgetown's Law School that, "In this great land, the government does not tell you what to think or what to say." In his speech, only announced the day before, Sessions went on to denounce uppity knee-taking football players and defend his boss' call, hours before, for them to be fired. We may need to upgrade the ole Irony Alert buzzer. It can't keep up.